Panel to examine impacts of Trumpism and U.S. Capitol riots on the future of politics

Gerald Neal, a Democratic Party member of the Kentucky State Senate, joins experts from Dalhousie, Acadia and Mount Saint Vincent universities next week to reflect on the tumultuous events that have roiled politics south of the border in recent weeks.

Panelists will explore the violent events of January 6 in Washington, D.C., when legions of Trump supporters overran the U.S. Capitol Building — temporarily delaying certification of U.S. presidential results by the country's top legislators and creating chaos that led to several deaths.

At the heart of the discussion will be a look into the continued influence of outgoing President Donald Trump and how Trumpism could bring further destabilization into politics in the U.S. and beyond, even as President-Elect Joe Biden is set to take office on Jan. 20.

"The assault on the Capitol inspired by President Donald Trump was a traumatic and unprecedented event. Not only was this act of insurrection a travesty, it was incited, at least in part, by the most powerful person in the world," Senator Neal, pictured above right, wrote to citizens and supporters in his legislative update last week.

"The fascist outfits that were on display, were juxtaposed to the symbols and ideals of the greatest democracy in the world," he continued in his note. "This was a comfort to those, foreign and domestic, that seek to undermine and divide us — and an embarrassment to those that look to the United States for leadership."

Attendees at next Tuesday's (Jan. 19, 7pm Atlantic/6pm Eastern) virtual event, Trump, Trumpism and the Struggle for the Future, will have the chance to hear more from Senator Neal, as well as the individuals below. Register now for the Zoom panel.

Dr. Rachel Brickner (Department of Politics, Acadia University)

Dr. Lissa Skitolsky (Simon and Riva Spatz Visiting Chair of Jewish Studies, Dalhousie University)

Dr. Alex Khasnabish  (Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Mount Saint Vincent University)

Dr. Isaac Saney (Director, Transition Year Program and Historian, Dalhousie University)

Moderator: Dr. Theresa Rajack-Talley (Vice-Provost Equity and Inclusion, Dalhousie University)